The ringleader was Damian Gasdaska, 38, of Phillipsburg. He was sentenced in May to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay $257,209 in restitution.

The scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, involved stealing personal information, in some cases from old court records, and creating false identities. The conspirators then applied for credit cards and purchased or rented vehicles.

Gasdaska provided some of the fraudulent credit cards he acquired to his co-conspirators and kept some for himself. He also showed his co-conspirators how to commit the fraud.

Three others were also involved in the scheme. They are: Johnnie Rhines, of Lindenwold, New Jersey; Randall McMahon, of Easton; and John Cordero, of Breinigsville in Upper Macungie Township. All have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to jail time.